From Latin linum (flax). "Bed linen" = sheets, pillowcases. "Don't air your dirty linen in public" = don't expose private problems.
cloth made from flax, used for sheets, clothes, etc.
She wore a white linen dress.
1a soft white fibrous substance that surrounds the seeds of a tropical and subtropical plant and is used as textile fiber and thread for sewing
A cotton shirt.
2a mass of fluffy spun sugar, usually pink, wrapped around a stick (US)
Kids eating cotton candy.
1one of the limbs used for standing or walking
He broke his leg skiing.
one support of a table, chair, or similar object
One table leg is loose.
one stage of a trip or competition
The final leg of the journey was by bus.
2tight-fitting stretch pants, typically worn by women or girls
She wore a pair of leggings.
American term for women's underpants; British: 'knickers'. Singular 'panty' appears in compounds (panty liner).
women's or girls' underpants
She bought a pack of cotton panties.
American term; British: 'tights'.
a close-fitting garment covering the body from the waist to the toes, worn by women
She wore sheer pantyhose under her skirt.
Always plural. In American English opaque ones are 'tights' and sheer ones are 'pantyhose'; British English calls both 'tights'.
a close-fitting stretchy garment covering the hips, legs, and feet
She wore black tights under her skirt.
"Christmas stocking": long sock hung by the chimney for Santa's gifts. Modern: "fishnet stockings", patterned hosiery.
a close-fitting covering for the foot and leg
She wore black stockings with her dress.
Usually worn in pairs. 'Knock your socks off' = impress greatly. 'Pull your socks up' = make more effort. 'Sock away' = save money.
a knitted covering for the foot and lower leg, worn inside a shoe
One of my socks has a hole in the toe.
Often shortened to 'cami'.
a woman's loose sleeveless top or undergarment with thin shoulder straps
She wore a silk camisole under her jacket.
American term; British English: 'vest'.
a shirt worn under another shirt, next to the skin
He wore a white undershirt beneath his dress shirt.
From French brassière. Now usually shortened to "bra". The modern bra was patented in 1914.
a woman's undergarment supporting the breasts
The store sells brassieres of all sizes.
Short for brassiere. "Sports bra": designed for high-impact activity. "Bra burning": a (largely mythical) symbol of 1960s feminism.
a woman's undergarment supporting the breasts
She bought a new bra.
Short for 'boxer shorts', named after the shorts boxers wear. 'Boxer briefs' are a longer, tighter hybrid.
loose-fitting men's underpants
He sleeps in a t-shirt and boxers.
Always plural. Close-fitting, unlike loose 'boxers'. Not to be confused with a legal 'brief' (a summary document).
short, close-fitting underpants without legs
He prefers briefs to boxers.
Uncountable; also called 'undergarments' or informally 'undies'.
clothing worn next to the skin, underneath other clothes
He packed a week's worth of clean underwear.
a soft hat with a curved front
He wore a baseball cap.
a cover or top for a container
Put the cap back on the bottle.
an upper limit
The city set a cap on rent increases.
to cover, limit, or finish something
The company capped overtime at ten hours a week.
'Old hat' = outdated. 'Wear many hats' = have many roles. 'Pass the hat' = collect money.
a shaped covering for the head, often with a brim
She put on a wide-brimmed hat before going outside.
Plural: scarves (or scarfs). Worn for warmth, style, or religious modesty (hijab is a scarf). "Scarf down" (verb) = eat quickly.
a long strip of fabric worn around the neck or head
She wrapped a wool scarf around her neck.
"In the bag" = certain. "Bag of tricks" = a person's resources. "Mixed bag" = a varied assortment.
a container made of flexible material
She carried her groceries in a paper bag.
to put something into a bag
The clerk bagged the groceries.
(informal) to succeed in obtaining or catching
He bagged the deal.
a bag containing promotional items or gifts given to attendees at a party or event
We all got a goody bag at the end of the party.
a small bag used by a woman to carry everyday personal items
She rummaged through her handbag for her keys.
Always uncountable. "Emotional baggage" = unresolved past issues. "Baggage claim": airport area for collecting luggage.
bags carried in travel
Their baggage was lost.
Train car for cargo, mail, and oversized luggage. UK: "luggage van".
a train carriage for luggage
They loaded the trunk into the baggage car.
"Baggy jeans": 1990s hip-hop fashion. Often youthful or counterculture style choice.
loose-fitting
He wore a baggy sweater.
Many compounds: cowboy boot, snow boot, combat boot, hiking boot, ankle boot. British: "boot" = trunk of a car (American). "Boot camp": military basic training; metaphorically, intensive training.
a sturdy item of footwear covering the foot and ankle
She put on her hiking boots.
"Boot up" a computer = start it. "Reboot" = restart. Originally from "bootstrap" (computer starts itself by "pulling itself up by its bootstraps").
to start or restart a computer
It takes time to boot the system.
American term. Usually plural "sneakers". "Sneakerhead" = a collector of athletic shoes.
(American) a soft shoe with a rubber sole, designed for sports or casual wear
She bought a new pair of sneakers for the gym.
British term for sneaker. Distinct from the unrelated "trainer" meaning a person who trains others.
(British) a soft sports shoe; a sneaker
He laced up his trainers and went for a run.
Originally the one-piece garment worn by parachutists, who 'jumped' from planes.
a one-piece garment combining a top with trousers
She wore a black jumpsuit to the party.
a one-piece garment for a woman or girl that covers the body and extends down over the legs
A beautiful dress.
to put clothes on (oneself or someone else)
She dressed quickly and left for work.
(of clothes) suitable for formal occasions
The invitation said the dress code was dressy casual.
"Blaze of glory": going out spectacularly. "Trail blazer" = a pioneer.
a very large or fiercely burning fire
The blaze destroyed three buildings.
to burn fiercely or brightly
The fire blazed all night.
Originally so named because of brightly colored ("blazing") boating jackets at Cambridge in the 1880s. Now associated with school uniforms and business casual.
a smart jacket, often part of a uniform
He wore a navy blazer with the school crest.
"Blazing hot": very hot. "Blazing row": violent argument. "Blazing Saddles": Mel Brooks comedy.
burning fiercely or extremely hot
The blazing sun beat down on them.
a garment fastened around the waist and hanging down, worn especially by women and girls
She wore a long pleated skirt.
'Skirt around an issue' = deal with it evasively rather than head-on.
to go around the edge of; to avoid (a subject or problem)
The politician skirted the question about taxes.
Always plural; a single item is 'a pair of shorts'.
short trousers that end at or above the knee
He wore shorts and sandals in the summer heat.
British 'trousers' = American 'pants'. Always plural ('a pair of trousers'). 'Wear the trousers' = be the dominant partner.
an outer garment covering the body from the waist down, with a separate part for each leg
He ironed his suit trousers.
(US) trousers; (UK) underpants
He wore brown pants.
(British informal) bad; rubbish
The film was absolutely pants.
Always plural; a single item is 'a pair of jeans'. Named after Genoa, Italy, where the fabric ('jean') originated.
casual trousers made of denim
She changed into jeans after work.
American usage. In British English, 'tank top' can instead mean a sleeveless sweater worn over a shirt.
a sleeveless upper-body garment with wide shoulder straps
She wore a tank top to the gym.
Past tense: sweat or sweated. "No sweat" = no problem. "Sweat the small stuff" = worry about minor things. "Sweatshop": exploitative workplace.
to give off moisture through the skin when hot or nervous
He was sweating after the run.
moisture given off by the body
His shirt was soaked with sweat.
US "sweater" = UK "jumper". So named because it makes the wearer sweat. "Sweater weather": cool autumn temperatures.
a knitted upper garment with long sleeves
She put on a wool sweater.
covered with or smelling of sweat; causing sweat
He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans.
US: /blaʊs/; UK: /blaʊz/. Usually women's. Distinguished from "shirt" (which can be either gender, often more casual).
a woman's loose-fitting top
She wore a silk blouse.
'Keep your shirt on' = stay calm. 'Lose your shirt' = lose all your money.
a garment for the upper body, usually with a collar, sleeves, and a buttoned front
He ironed his shirt for the interview.
Named for its T shape when laid flat. Also spelled 'tee shirt' or shortened to 'tee'.
a short-sleeved casual top with no collar or buttons
He wore jeans and a plain white t-shirt.
clothes, especially of a particular or formal kind
The invitation specifies formal attire.
Often used in passive form: "attired in...".
to dress someone in clothes of a particular kind
He was attired in a dark suit and silk tie.
Formal word for dressed.
dressed in particular clothes
The guests were elegantly attired.
"Get on someone's nerves" = annoy. "Have nerve" = be bold/audacious. "A nerve of steel" = brave. "Pinched nerve": compressed nerve causing pain.
a fiber that carries impulses in the body
He pinched a nerve in his back.
Most lethal type of chemical weapon. Examples: VX, sarin, Novichok. Used in 2018 Skripal poisoning (UK).
a chemical weapon that disrupts the nervous system
Sarin is a nerve agent.
British spelling "centre". American: "nerve center". Figurative: control hub of any organization or operation.
the headquarters or control center
This room is the nerve centre of the operation.
The receptors that detect sensations. Skin has many; some areas more sensitive than others (fingertips, lips).
the end of a nerve where sensations are detected
The fingertips have many nerve endings.
Same as nerve agent. Banned by Chemical Weapons Convention (1993). Tokyo subway sarin attack (1995) was high-profile use.
a poisonous gas affecting the nerves
The use of nerve gas is a war crime.
Carries deoxygenated blood back to the heart (except pulmonary veins). "In the same vein" = in the same manner/style.
1a blood vessel that returns blood to the heart
The nurse drew blood from a vein in his arm.
Carries oxygenated blood away from the heart (except the pulmonary artery). "Clogged arteries" - major risk factor for heart attacks.
2a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart
The aorta is the body's largest artery.
existing or taking place within, or administered into, a vein or veins
An intravenous drip.
Marble is famously veined. Botany: leaves have veins. Anatomy: bulging veins on hands/arms = often described as "veined".
marked with veins or vein-like lines
The marble had a beautifully veined pattern.
"Arterial road" = a major road in a network, like arteries in the body. From artery (the blood vessel).
relating to an artery or arteries
The doctor checked his arterial blood pressure.
(of a road or other route) being one of the main routes in a system
This is an arterial road into the city.
the red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins of humans and other vertebrate animals
He lost a lot of blood.
new members admitted to a group, especially as an invigorating force
The company needs some new blood.
a tubular structure carrying blood through the tissues and organs; a vein, artery, or capillary
A burst blood vessel.
In UK: very common intensifier ("bloody hell!"), mildly profane to most, considered crude by some. In US: usually literal sense (covered in blood).
covered with blood; (British) used as a mild intensifier
His shirt was bloody.
Named after Mary I of England ("Bloody Mary" for executing Protestants). Cocktail invented ~1920s, popularized as hangover cure.
a cocktail of vodka, tomato juice, and spices
She ordered a Bloody Mary for brunch.
Anatomy: knee, elbow joints. Construction: "joint", connection point. Slang: "joint" = marijuana cigarette, or low-quality establishment.
a place where two things meet
His knee joint was injured.
shared or done together
They have a joint bank account.
American spelling. British spelling: oesophagus.
the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach
Acid reflux can irritate the esophagus.
British spelling of esophagus.
the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach
The report used the spelling oesophagus.
an organ that stores urine
The infection spread to his bladder.
'Thyroid problems' affect energy and weight.
a large gland in the neck that produces hormones regulating growth and metabolism
An underactive thyroid can cause fatigue and weight gain.
Plural: appendices or appendixes.
a small, tube-shaped organ attached to the large intestine
She had her appendix removed.
a section or table of additional matter at the end of a book or document
There is a list of irregular verbs in the appendix.
Humans have two; one is often donated for transplant. "Kidney bean": named for its shape. "Kidney stones": painful mineral deposits.
either of two organs that filter the blood
He donated a kidney to his brother.
"Butterflies in stomach" = nervous. "Iron stomach" = can eat anything. "On an empty stomach": without eating first.
the organ that digests food
His stomach growled with hunger.
Spelling: two words (UK) or one (US: "stomachache"). Both common. "K" in "ache" is silent in "ache" /eɪk/.
a pain in the stomach
He has a stomach ache.
American one-word spelling. Same meaning as "stomach ache".
a pain in the stomach
She got a stomachache from the spicy food.
Largest internal organ. Crucial for filtering toxins and metabolism. Eaten in many cuisines (foie gras, liver and onions). Damage is often alcohol-related.
the large organ that processes nutrients and filters blood
Excessive drinking can damage the liver.
Two in humans. "At the top of one's lungs" = as loudly as possible. "Iron lung": historical breathing aid for polio patients.
an organ for breathing
Smoking damages the lungs.
"Corporate ladder" - career hierarchy. "Social ladder" - class hierarchy. UK: "ladder in stockings" = US "run in stockings".
a vertical structure with rungs for climbing
He climbed the ladder to the roof.
a thing that motivates or encourages one to do something
There is no incentive for customers to conserve water.
British spelling: incentivise. Inflections: incentivized, incentivizing.
to motivate or encourage (someone) by offering a reward or benefit
The subsidy incentivizes companies to cut their emissions.
From Greek parallelos (alongside). In computing: "parallel processing" = doing multiple computations simultaneously. "Parallel universe" - sci-fi/physics concept.
(of lines) side by side and never meeting
The railway tracks are parallel.
corresponding in some respect
There are parallel themes in the two novels.
Men's gymnastics apparatus. Different from "uneven bars" (women's apparatus). Both are now used by all genders in recreational gymnastics.
a pair of parallel bars used in gymnastics
He performed a routine on the parallel bars.
"Draw a parallel between" - a common collocation.
a person or thing similar or comparable to another
Historians have drawn parallels between the two wars.
to be similar or equivalent to; to run alongside
Her career parallels her mother's in many ways.
Tricky spelling: one r, then double l (paraLLel), then a single l before '-ed': un-para-llel-ed. Means having no equal.
having no equal; exceptional or unmatched
The library offers unparalleled access to rare manuscripts.
Idioms: 'get cold feet' (become nervous), 'give someone the cold shoulder' (deliberately ignore them), 'cold call' (unsolicited sales call).
at or having a low temperature
The soup went cold before he could eat it.
(of a person or manner) unfriendly or unemotional
She gave him a cold stare and walked off.
'The common cold' is the full name. You 'catch' or 'have' a cold. Distinct from the flu, which is usually more severe.
a common mild viral infection of the nose and throat, causing sneezing, a sore throat, and a runny nose
I caught a cold and couldn't stop sneezing.
a low temperature, especially in the atmosphere; the absence of heat
She shivered in the biting cold.
These are not the same kind of thing: a fever is a symptom (a raised body temperature), while a cold is an illness (a viral infection). A cold may or may not come with a fever.
to give money as a payment for something
She spends a lot of money on clothes.
money paid out; an amount of money spent
The government is increasing its spending on education.
The prefix 'out-' here means 'to surpass or exceed in': outspend, outrun, outperform, outnumber. Past tense: outspent.
to spend more money than (someone or something else)
The incumbent outspent her challenger by three to one.
"Reckless driving" is a specific legal charge in many places. Commonly misspelled 'wreckless' by association with 'wreck', but 'reckless' has no W - it comes from the archaic verb 'reck' (to care or heed) + '-less', literally 'without care'.
acting without thinking or caring about the consequences
He was charged with reckless endangerment.
"Train wreck" - disastrous situation (literal and figurative). "Nervous wreck" - extremely anxious person. "Wreck-It Ralph" - Disney animated film. Not related to 'reckless' (careless), which has no W.
a vehicle or building destroyed or seriously damaged
They explored the shipwreck.
to destroy; to ruin
The storm wrecked their plans.
the remains of something that has been badly damaged or destroyed
Firemen had to cut him free from the wreckage.
capable of working successfully; feasible
The proposed investment was economically viable.
(of a fetus, seed, or organism) capable of living or surviving under normal conditions
At 24 weeks, the fetus is considered viable outside the womb.
the ability to work successfully, or to survive and develop adequately
Investors questioned the viability of the business plan.
the hindmost part of an animal, especially when prolonged beyond the rest of the body
The dog wagged its tail.
Informal/crime-fiction usage: to tail a suspect.
to secretly follow and watch (someone)
An undercover detective tailed the suspect for a week.
Usually plural 'tailings' for the mining sense. Also the present participle of the verb 'tail' (to follow someone secretly).
(usually 'tailings') the waste material left after ore is processed in mining or milling
The tailings pond stores waste from the copper mine.
the act of secretly following someone
The tailing of the suspect went on for days.
"Trail", also a verb: to follow behind. "Hot on the trail": pursuing eagerly. "Trailblazer": pioneer.
a track or path
They hiked along the mountain trail.
"Movie trailer": preview. "Trailer park": mobile home community (often associated with poverty in US stereotype).
a vehicle pulled behind another; a movie preview
The trailer for the film was exciting.
Tractor-trailer: common North American term. UK: "articulated lorry" or "artic". Major freight transport.
a truck with a separate trailer attached
A long trailer truck pulled into the rest area.
Also technical: 'trailing edge' (rear edge of a wing), 'trailing zeros', 'trailing stop' (a stop-loss that follows the price).
hanging down loosely or spreading along the ground
Trailing ivy covered the old brick wall.
behind in a competition or measurement
The trailing team scored twice in the final minutes.
The verb and adjective are spelled the same but pronounced differently: verb /ˈsɛpəˌreɪt/ (full final vowel), adjective /ˈsɛprət/ (reduced). Commonly misspelled 'seperate' - remember 'there's a rat in sepARATe'.
to cause to move or be apart; to divide into parts
Police separated the two men before the fight escalated.
forming a unit by itself; not joined or connected to others
The kids sleep in separate rooms.
Also a legal term for a couple living apart without being formally divorced.
the act of separating or the state of being apart
The separation of powers keeps any one branch of government from dominating.
"Bloatware" - unnecessary pre-installed software.
to cause to swell with fluid or gas
The dead fish had bloated in the sun.
Common digestive complaint; causes include gas, fluid retention, lactose intolerance, IBS. "Software bloat" : when programs become too large and slow.
the condition of being swollen with air or fluid
She experienced bloating after the meal.
swollen with fluid or gas, especially the stomach after eating too much
I felt bloated after the heavy meal.
(of an organization or budget) excessively large or oversized
The company's bloated bureaucracy slowed every decision.
Antonym: prologue. In Greek drama, often spoken by an actor addressing the audience.
a section or speech at the end of a book, play, or film that serves as a comment on or conclusion to what has happened
The novel's epilogue reveals what happened to the characters years later.
Two related senses: a slow, emotional love song (pop/rock context), and a traditional narrative poem or folk song that tells a story, often passed down orally. Do not confuse with 'ballot' (a vote).
a slow, sentimental song, especially about love
The band closed the concert with a heartfelt ballad.
a poem or song that tells a story, often in short stanzas
The old ballad recounts the hero's tragic death.
Also spelled imposter.
a person pretending to be someone else
The impostor used a fake passport.
Modern: "creep" (noun, informal) = unpleasant person. "Creep" - famous 1992 Radiohead song.
to move slowly and carefully
He crept up the stairs.
causing an unpleasant feeling of fear or unease
The creepy feeling that someone is watching you.
Database/programming jargon, a portmanteau of 'update' + 'insert'. Also used as a noun ('an upsert operation'). Not a general-English word.
to insert a record into a database, or update it if it already exists
The sync job upserts each row so duplicates are never created.
American name; British: courgette. Originally from Italian.
a small, long, green vegetable, a variety of summer squash
She grated zucchini into the bread batter.
"Cool as a cucumber": a common idiom meaning calm and composed. Cucumbers are used as cooling eye treatments in spa contexts.
a long green vegetable with watery flesh
She added cucumber to her salad.
Also called 'string beans' or 'snap beans' (the whole pod is eaten, unlike shelled beans). British English sometimes says 'French beans'.
the long, slender, edible green pods of a bean plant, eaten whole
She steamed the green beans and tossed them with almonds.
A single bulb is made up of individual 'cloves'. Long associated in folklore with warding off vampires.
a pungent bulb, made up of several cloves, used as a flavoring in cooking
He crushed two cloves of garlic into the sauce.
'Know your onions' = be knowledgeable. Cutting onions releases a gas that makes you cry.
a round vegetable with a strong smell and taste, made up of concentric layers
Fry the onions until they turn golden.
Irregular plural: 'potatoes' (not 'potatos'). "Couch potato" = a lazy person who watches a lot of TV. "Hot potato" = a controversial issue nobody wants to deal with.
a starchy root vegetable, usually with brown or red skin and white or yellow flesh
He mashed the potatoes with butter and milk.
a small, round, red-skinned root vegetable with a crisp, peppery taste, usually eaten raw in salads
She added thinly sliced radishes to the salad for a peppery crunch.
"Carrot and stick" - an incentive combined with a threat of punishment. The myth that carrots dramatically improve night vision originated as WWII British propaganda.
a long, tapering orange root vegetable
She peeled and sliced the carrots for the stew.
Two main types: curly-leaf (decorative) and flat-leaf (Italian, more flavorful). "Parsley" is the P in the song "Scarborough Fair" (parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme).
a herb with bright green leaves, used in cooking
Sprinkle chopped parsley over the soup.
British pronunciation is /ˈbæzəl/. Sweet basil is central to Italian cooking (pesto, Caprese salad); Thai basil, with a more anise-like flavor, is used in Southeast Asian dishes.
an aromatic herb with green leaves, used especially in Italian and Southeast Asian cooking
He tore fresh basil leaves over the tomato salad.
Usually refers to napa cabbage: pale, crinkly, tightly-packed elongated leaves, milder and sweeter than Western round cabbage. Distinct from bok choy, which has smooth white stalks and separate dark green leaves.
a variety of cabbage with pale, crinkled, tightly wrapped leaves, common in East Asian cooking
She shredded Chinese cabbage for the dumpling filling.
a vegetable with thick green or purple leaves growing in a tight ball
He shredded the cabbage for coleslaw.
American name from Cantonese; British English calls it "pak choi". Mandarin: baicai. Also spelled 'bok choi'.
a type of Chinese cabbage with smooth white stalks and dark green leaves
She stir-fried bok choy with garlic.
Also called 'ong choy' (Cantonese) or 'kangkong' (Southeast Asian). A different plant from true spinach, but similarly cooked, with hollow stems and arrow-shaped leaves; common in Chinese and Southeast Asian stir-fries.
a leafy green aquatic vegetable with hollow stems, common in Asian cooking
The restaurant stir-fried water spinach with fermented bean curd.
Young broccoli seedlings, harvested just days after germination, rather than the mature flowering vegetable. Marketed as a health food for their high concentration of sulforaphane, a compound linked to antioxidant effects.
the tiny edible shoots of the broccoli plant, harvested a few days after germination
She added a handful of broccoli sprouts to her salad.
Both come from the same plant, but broccoli refers to the mature vegetable (the thick stem and flower buds harvested after weeks of growth), while broccoli sprouts are the tiny seedlings harvested just days after germination.
Two very different registers: the classic sense (fall asleep from exhaustion, or sleep somewhere temporarily) is decades old and neutral; the newer sense (lose emotional control) is 2020s internet/Gen Z slang, common in gaming and social media contexts.
to fall asleep suddenly from exhaustion, or to sleep somewhere not one's own bed
After the flight, he crashed out on the couch for twelve hours.
(slang) to have an intense emotional outburst or meltdown, especially from anger or frustration
She crashed out when she saw the referee's call.
Two very different everyday senses: biological (a group of similar cells performing a function, e.g. muscle tissue) and paper product (a disposable sheet for wiping/blowing the nose, often trademarked 'Kleenex' in American usage).
a group of similar cells that together perform a specific function in an organism
Scar tissue formed around the wound.
a soft disposable piece of absorbent paper
She grabbed a tissue to blow her nose.
Both describe building blocks of living things, but tissue is a level of biological organization (a group of cells with a shared function), while fiber is a single thread-like structural unit, often one component that makes up a tissue.
British informal sense: buttocks (mild, not vulgar). American informal sense: a homeless person or a lazy, worthless person. 'Beach bum' or 'ski bum' (American) means someone who devotes their life to that lifestyle, not necessarily an insult.
(British, informal) the buttocks
She fell flat on her bum.
(American, informal) a homeless person, or a lazy and irresponsible person
He's been acting like a bum since he lost his job.
American informal. 'Bum rap' = an unfair accusation or punishment. 'Bum knee/leg' = an injured or defective one.
(informal) of poor quality; not working properly
He gave me a bum deal on the car.
Informal. 'Bum a ride/cigarette' is a very common collocation.
(informal) to obtain by begging or borrowing casually
Can I bum a cigarette off you?
the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes on condition that a sum of money be lodged to guarantee their appearance in court
He has been released on bail.
to pay bail to secure someone's release from custody
His parents bailed him out of jail.
(figurative) to rescue someone or something from a difficult situation
The government bailed out the failing bank.
(informal, American) to leave suddenly or abandon a plan.
(informal) to leave abruptly or abandon something
He bailed on the plan at the last minute.
Informal and disparaging. Plural can be 'lowlifes' or 'lowlives'.
a person regarded as disreputable or of low social standing
The bar was full of lowlifes and petty criminals.
British and Australian vulgar slang, mild-to-moderate offensiveness (roughly comparable to 'jerk' or 'idiot' in force, though literally from a masturbation slur). Not standard American usage.
(vulgar slang, chiefly British) a contemptible or foolish person
He cut in line and acted like a total wanker about it.
existing, happening, or operating in the air
An aerial photograph.
British English; American English says 'antenna'.
(British) a metal rod or wire that receives or transmits radio or television signals
The car's aerial snapped off in the car wash.
Most common in teenagers due to hormonal changes. "Acne vulgaris" is the medical term. Distinguished from pimples (which are individual lesions).
a skin condition causing pimples, especially on the face
She had bad acne as a teenager.
"Mercy killing" - euthanasia. "At the mercy of" - completely dependent on. "Mercy" - common dramatic plea.
compassion shown toward someone whom it is in one's power to punish
She begged for mercy.
"Merciful release" - euphemism for a death that ends suffering.
showing or feeling compassion
The judge was merciful.
showing no mercy or pity
The coach was merciless during practice.
Often used as a sentence opener expressing relief: "Mercifully, the rain stopped."
to a degree that brings relief
Mercifully, the exam was short.
Informal clipping of 'merchandise'. Common in music/entertainment fandom contexts: 'band merch', 'tour merch table'.
branded products (clothing, accessories, etc.) sold to fans or customers
She bought a hoodie from the band's merch table.
Informal and derogatory. 'Snitches get stitches' is a slang threat. Also the Golden Snitch in Quidditch.
to inform on someone to a person in authority
Nobody wanted to be the one who snitched.
a person who informs on others
They treated him like a snitch for the rest of the year.
Multiple senses: card game, fire tool. "Poker face" - expressionless to hide emotions. Famous: World Series of Poker.
a popular card game; a metal rod for stirring a fire
They played poker until midnight.
"Facebook poke": early 2000s social media feature. "Poke" (Hawaiian dish, pronounced /ˈpoʊkeɪ/): different word from Hawaiian language, increasingly trendy.
to jab or prod with a finger or pointed object
He poked her in the ribs.
Introduces a time clause meaning immediately after. Often paired with a present-tense verb even when referring to the future ('as soon as she arrives', not 'will arrive').
at the moment that; immediately when
Call me as soon as you land.
Two related uses: duration ('for the whole time that') and condition ('provided that'). Context usually makes the sense clear.
for the whole time that; while
As long as I live here, I'll keep the garden tidy.
provided that; on condition that
You can borrow the car as long as you fill the tank.
Common set phrases: 'as far as I know', 'as far as I'm concerned', 'as far as the eye can see'. Marks the limit or extent of one's knowledge, involvement, or a physical distance.
to the extent that; regarding the limit of
As far as I know, the meeting is still on for Friday.
Two related uses: concession ('although') and quantity comparison ('to the same degree/amount as').
although; despite the fact that
As much as I'd like to help, I don't have the time.
to the same degree or amount as
Take as much as you need.
Adds an extra item without the emphasis of 'and'; the noun before 'as well as' is usually the main focus. Not to be confused with 'as well' (also), which stands alone at the end of a clause.
in addition to; and also
She speaks French as well as Spanish.
Two common patterns: 'hold off on (doing) something' (delay) and transitive 'hold off' (keep something/someone at a distance): 'hold off the attackers'.
to delay or postpone doing something
Let's hold off on the announcement until next week.
to keep someone or something from advancing; to resist
The defenders held off the attack for hours.
In economics: divided into private and public sectors (plus sometimes the third/voluntary sector).
a distinct part or branch of an economy or society
The tech sector grew rapidly.
Includes for-profit businesses (large and small). Contrasted with public sector and nonprofit sector.
the part of the economy controlled by private individuals and companies
She left government to work in the private sector.
Public sector employees: teachers, police, postal workers, soldiers, civil servants.
the part of the economy controlled by the government
Public sector workers went on strike.
Less common alternative to the more standard adjective 'sectoral' (relating to a sector of the economy or industry).
relating to a particular sector, especially of an economy or industry
The report highlighted sectorial differences in wage growth.
a tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports
The lower tariffs across the border.
Homophone of "fare" (cost of transport).
treating people equally and according to the rules; just
The judge was known for being firm but fair.
reasonable; satisfactory but not excellent
She has a fair chance of winning.
(of weather) bright and pleasant
Tomorrow should be fair and warm.
(of hair or skin) pale; light in color
She has fair hair and blue eyes.
a public event with rides, games, and food stalls; a carnival
The kids loved the rides at the state fair.
a gathering for the buying and selling of goods, or for showing products and services
She is exhibiting her paintings at the art fair.
used to say that a statement, decision, or excuse is acceptable or reasonable
"I'd rather stay home tonight." "Fair enough."
Two senses: justly ("treated fairly") and moderately ("fairly good"). Context usually clarifies. "Fairly" tends to be weaker than "quite".
to a moderate degree
It's fairly cold today.
in a just manner
They were treated fairly.
not fair or just; not in accordance with rules or standards
It's unfair that she got fired for something she didn't do.
Formal. "Cease and desist" = a legal demand to stop. "Without cease" (literary) = continuously.
to bring or come to an end
The factory ceased production last year.
a temporary suspension of fighting; a truce
Both sides agreed to a ceasefire.
constant; never-ending
The ceaseless noise from the construction site is driving us crazy.
the fact or process of ending or being brought to an end
They called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Figurative sense common in finance and project planning: to schedule or allocate the bulk of something early on.
to schedule or allocate the largest part of something at the beginning
The company front-loaded its marketing budget before the launch.
Frequently spelled as one word without a hyphen: 'frontloaded'.
weighted or concentrated toward the beginning
The stimulus package was front-loaded, with most spending in the first year.
a sum of money granted by the government or a public body to assist an industry or business
Farmers receive subsidies for growing certain crops.
Note: shares spelling-root but different meaning from subside (subsidy = financial aid, from Latin subsidium).
to support (an organization or activity) financially
The government subsidizes farmers.
Chiefly British and international business usage, named for the traditional white enamel finish. Contrasts with 'brown goods' (TVs, audio equipment), an older retail classification now less common.
large household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and ovens
The store's white goods section was having a sale on refrigerators.